While this blog focuses on mental health, I occasionally get creative with a relevant book or movie review. Today, I’m doing something a bit different.
When Megan Thee Stallion released her sophomore album, “Traumazine,” last Friday, I knew I wanted to write about it here.
As an EMDR therapist, I know a lot about trauma; however, I’d never heard the term, “Traumazine,” so I went to Google to find out more. According to an NPR article,
Megan got creative. She took some poetic license. And she shared that the title on social media, “Traumazine,” is in reference to the fictional chemical that is released in your brain when you’re forced to deal with painful emotions caused by traumatic events and experiences, which is digging really deep into what the album is about.
Before I get into specific lyrics from the album pertaining to mental health, be warned that this album is NSFW (not safe for work) and this post contains profanity.
I am blown away by how much trauma, experience, and wisdom Megan processes on this album. It’s clear that this project was both cathartic and therapeutic for her. A lot has gone down for Megan in the past few years… Like losing her mother to cancer, being shot, then subsequently trolled and speculated about on social media.
Boundaries, Racism, Body Image
My favorite song on the album is “Not Nice” as it resonates on many levels, from needing to set boundaries so people don’t take advantage of you, to navigating racist stereotypes, to commenting on how beauty standards try to force folx into one-size-fits-all boxes.
Ayy,
I’m on my fuck you shit, bitch, I’m done bein’ nice
And when it come to cuttin’ people off, I don’t think twice.
I kept it too real, shit, I kept it too G
And after all I did for bitches this is how they do me?
Bitch, I kept your bills paid, you were sick? I paid for surgery.
God, I pray you put who do me wrong where they deserve to be.
I guess my skin not light enough, my dialect not white enough
Or maybe I’m just not shaped the way to make these niggas givе a fuck
But fuck it ’cause I’m black, Biggie-Biggie black, ass biggy fat
Not a nigga on this Earth could takе the credit for my stats.
I’m in Paris sittin’ on the terrace sippin’ tea with Ferris
And I know they talkin’ down, we just too far gone to hear it.
Anxiety and Body Positivity
I’m very vocal about living with anxiety (panic disorder) so I was excited to see the song, “Anxiety,” on the track list. I commend Megan for being a Black person talking about mental health and for commenting on how difficult it can be to know where to start.
I’m a bad bitch, and I got bad anxiety.People call me rude ’cause I ain’t lettin’ ’em try me.Sayin’ I’m a ho ’cause I’m in love with my body.Issues, but nobody I could talk to about it.They keep sayin’ I should get helpBut I don’t even know what I need.They keep sayin’ speak your truthAnd at the same time say they don’t believe, man.
I love to see Black women like Megan and Lizzo addressing the double standards that come along with expressing themselves vocally and with their bodies. One doesn’t have to go too far into the Instagram comments to see the hate and vitriol that gets thrown at them for simply existing…
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, ThursdayBad bitches have bad days too.Friday, Saturday, Sunday, bounce backHow a bad bitch always do.All I really wanna hear is, “It’ll be okay”Bounce back ’cause a bad bitch can have bad days.All I really wanna hear is, “It’ll be okay”Bounce back ’cause a bad bitch can have bad days.
Coping
Being a therapist, I teach coping skills to people on the daily; however, the following lyrics portray a common sense of hopelessness that comes along with having a mental health condition. (also from “Anxiety”)
I’m really thinkin’ ’bout dialin’ 911 ’til I freak.‘Cause they probably won’t think it’s that deep.And I don’t do drugs, so I never get a time when I’m at ease.I can’t even handle smokin’ weed.
Grief and Depression
Megan talks in “Flip Flop” about how she lost her mother to cancer shortly before the release of her debut album. I think a lot of people can relate to going through hard times only to discover that their support system is nowhere to be found. My grandma calls these people “fair weather friends.”
Behind this smile, I’m fightin’ these tears‘Cause a bitch be sad as fuck.Ever since my mama died, 2019I don’t really know who I can trust.I was lookin’ for anything, anybodyLookin’ for somethin’ to feel like somethin’.I was hangin’ with bitches I thought really loved meWhole time they was jealous and judgin’.They be askin’ why me and not them, shitAnd I be askin’ the same.If your mama and daddy still walkin’ this earthThen you probably ain’t feelin’ my pain.I don’t know why they want me to fail.I don’t know why they hate me so much.
Conclusion
I’ve been a fan of Megan Thee Stallion since the beginning, so the vulnerability and depth in her new album was worth talking about. If you’re in the mood for a hip-hop/pop record that gets into real life shit, I highly recommend giving “Traumazine” a listen.
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That’s awesome that she’s addressing such important issues!
Thanks as always for reading 🙂💚